Kristin Ford is a freelance writer who lives in Orlando. She wrote about The Walt Disney Co. during many of her 17 years as a journalist at the Orlando Sentinel, before joining the AllEars.Net staff. Kristin writes about Disney news from a parent's perspective, covering Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Channel, Disney Publishing and Disney Interactive and more. You can follow her adventures through the parks with her husband and two elementary-school-age children here and on Twitter @Kristin_B_Ford.

Best foods to take home from Walt Disney World

Many of us have our favorite foods at Walt Disney World -- those meals, snacks or sweets that we just *have* to taste as soon as we get the parks or hotels. What is it for you? Is it a world-famous Dole Whip? A Mickey waffle? A peanut butter-and-jelly milkshake? Or something more substantial, like the filet at Le Cellier?

Whatever your favorite Disney food is, if you're like me, you probably crave it between visits and may even try to recreate a version of it at home -- with varying degrees of success. Sure, Disney publishes wonderful cookbooks from its chefs, but wouldn't it be easier if we just took extra portions with us on our last day of vacation? Of course, that works better if you live locally or have driven to Walt Disney World and can pack your take-home food in a cooler.

My absolute favorite thing to bring home from the Disney Parks are the caramel- and candy-covered apples. You can find them in several locations, including Big Top Treats at Magic Kingdom and Goofy's Candy Company at Downtown Disney, both of which feature at least five different versions at any given time. At, Karamell-Kuche in Epcot, the apples are covered in Werther's caramel. These treats are expensive, ranging in price from about $5 to $10 each, but they also are large enough to share, if you're willing. I have found that the apples travel well and stay fresh for several days if you do not ask to have them cut. They don't need to be refrigerated, either.

It's pretty common to see families using their last snack credits on the Disney Dining Plan for the themed rice krispie treats that can be found in hotel gift shops and the parks. Who doesn't love these cookies that change designs seasonally and don't easily go stale? At this time of the year, guests will find Easter egg treats of all hues.

The easiest foods to take out of the parks are the ones that are pre-packed and intended to go home with you or eaten at your leisure. Kids can find snacks such as Mickey Mouse-shaped crackers and snack mixes to bags of various candies. Parents might be more excited to find the Mickey-shaped pasta.

Maybe the craziest foods I've taken home from Walt Disney World are the salads. I love the Broccoli Peppercorn Salad at Columbia Harbour House in the Magic Kingdom and the Wilderness Salad at Roaring Fork inside the Wilderness Lodge. Cast members are happy to put the dressing in a separate container and give you the salad in a to-go box. I've found this allows me to at least enjoy the salad the next day.

Of course, popcorn is fun food but you might not think of it as something that special to take home from the parks â€" unless you consider the fact that you can do so in a special commemorative plastic container that little kids will enjoy long after you leave the park.

The same concept applies to the drinks you can purchase at Animal Kingdom in an assortment of animal-themed cups. For youngsters, the apple juice tastes sweeter and the lemonade is cooler when it is being sipped through a straw atop a safari-themed menagerie of fun animal shapes.

Do you have a favorite food that you've been successful at taking away from Walt Disney World? Please tell us in the comments.

Comments (7)

Susan:

My favorite WDW snack to bring home is the Sweet Pretzel with Almonds from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe. I ask the cast members to pack them for travel, and they place each pretzel between two paper plates and then in a white paper bag. When I get back to the room, I place each packed pretzel in a gallon freezer bag I bring in my luggage and then pack them in my carry-on luggage to take home. My sister has also brought pretzels back from WDW for me packed this way. They are so delicious and so worth the effort!

I always always take home to England, Mickey Mint Bars. Lots of them!
I love them! They are just so good!!
I wish I could take all of the Writer's Stop carrot cake cookies too but they would probably cause a messy suitcase! :-)

My favorite take-home item is actually super easy to transport: the Freia milk chocolate bars they sell in Norway, they're probably my favorite chocolate on the planet. Even though the price has increased quite a bit over the years (I think they're up to $8.95 a bar now, ick), I love them and always make sure to stash a few in my luggage.

The last time I went to WDW was in 2012 when we first had the bag of caramel popcorn. OMG. It's my new favorite. We brought it along on the plane along with a Mickey Mouse cupcake (which was a bit messy). lol.

I love taking home homemade items I design myself from Goofy's Candy Co. in Downtown Disney. We love to design our own pretzel rods and take them on the go and the cast members will happily package them up for you upon request.

My 16 year old Daughter and I found a new favorite just a couple of weeks ago....It is a white cake pop with marshmellow ears dipped in milk chocolate. The cake reminded us of cookie dough...yumo!! They also have chocolate and red velvet cake...dipped in milk, dark or white chocolate. They were $4.19 each, needless to say we brought 9 home(Iowa) with us (some as gifts for friends). :o)